How to Get a CFO Certificate in Cebu

I renewed my passport at DFA Davao and since I am already married I want to change my status. I don't have any problem on the renewal process except a copy of the CFO Certificate that the DFA staff required me to submit. My question was:

What is CFO and what it is for?CFO or Commission on Filipinos Overseas established on 16 June 1980 through Batas Pambansa 79, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas is an agency of the Philippine Government tasked to promote and uphold the interests of Filipino emigrants and permanent, residents abroad, and preserve and strengthen ties with Filipino communities overseas.

Instead of Manila, I choose Cebu to take the seminar. Since, I am not in a hurry and I only wanted to renew my passport and change my status, I looked for a cheaper flight from Davao to Cebu. I also considered to find a place to stay in Cebu which is cheaper and near to CFO Office. I booked my flight on February 15 via Air Philippines, and get a room at Sampaguita Suites Hotel for 2 nights (booked through www.expedia.com). The hotel offers free pick from the airport but you need to give them your flight info and scheduled your pick up. It was an affordable and comfortable place for a short stay, walking distance to the CFO and DFA office and one(1) jeepney ride to the SMEW-COW where the seminar held.

Before attending the seminar you may think that it is only another crafty money making scheme of the government as what other said, but it's not true. I never regret attending the seminar, though it was costly on our part (me and my husband)because I flew from Davao to Cebu (No choice). You or your spouse/fiancee will have the final say, after attending the seminar. The seminar is more on counselling, orientation and guidance for spouses/fiancee who will marry or married a Foreign National.

February 16- Woke up very early and was having a short talked with my husband on skype and headed to SMEF-COW by a taxi. Jeepneys are available on the next corner from the Hotel. (ask the hotel's front desk for the jeepney route going to Maxilom Avenue or near University of San Carlos North Campus).

I was 15 minutes late for the seminar registration as it started at 8:00. It was unfair to other seminarians but I begged to the guard to let me in. (It was not a good example though).You need to be there before 8:00 am in the morning and get a priority number from the guard. The guard said, they usually cater 20 people every session. But on that day we were more than 20. Proceed to 3rd floor and go inside the room with mark on the door - Filipino Spouse/Fiancee. The opposite room is for emigrants for their PDOS. Inside the room there are Windows 1, 2, 3. Don't hesitate to ask anybody behind that window. They will tell you to log in by writing your name and signature on a piece of paper or a record book. Find a seat and wait for your name to be called.

Requirements For SMEF - COW Counselling Seminar: (These are the requirements that they might ask you. They were asking requirement differ from each other and it depends on your case. It's better to be ready than go back again for another day.)

-Original and Photocopy of your Passport

- Original and Photopy of Birth Certificate (From NSO or CTC from Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO)

- Original and Photocopy of Marriage Contract, if you're married (From NSO or CTC from Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO)

- Photocopy of Birth Certificate of Husband/Fiancee

- Photocopy of Passport of Husband/Fiancee

- Photocopy of a Divorce Decree of husband, if he is divorced

- Photocopy of Proof of Singleness of Fiancee

- Photocopy of Legal Capacity to Marry

- Photocopy of visa (IF you already have a visa)

- Photocopy of entry/exit stamped of husband/fiancee's passport (If married to a Filipina more than once)

- Photocopy or copy of picture together (you and your husband/fiancee)

-After few minutes one of the them will call you and you will submit your documents to him/her. They will check your documents and will ask you some questions and may require you to submit more documents.If everything is okay, you will pay her/him P250.00 pesos and she/he will give you a Guidance Counselling form to fill up. More importantly, spouse/fiancée need to know their husband/fiancées whereabout well). I filled up the form quickly. I noticed that there were ladies stuck filling the form because of the lack of information about their husband/fiancee. Some, were even making calls to their husband abroad to ask some basic information. You need to know about your husband/fiancee complete name, birthday, address, mother's family name, how many times he/she gotmarried/divorced (reason of divorced), how many children he had (if there is any), kind of work/job, address of workplace, husband/fiancée's educational attainment, course, when, where and how did you met, etc. It must be only simple questions but costly if you don't know the answer.

- Next, another person will call you for picture taking and submission of form. On our batch, there were some who didn't finish filling up their form.

- After, everybody done with picture taking, the Nun gathered us in one room and the seminar started (last for less or more 2 hours). It wasn't bad though. The nun who conducted the seminar was little bit strict but as she said that was a training for us.(discipline since we will be moving to other country). The seminar started by showing us a video clips taken from "Magandang Gabi Bayan". Videos contain reports and complains from Filipina who were reportedly abused by their foreign spouses. After the video, the Nun gave us some insight and reflection on how to deal with those kind of situation. She wanted to awaken us and planted a question in our mind of what is our main purpose why we married or will marry a foreigner.(She wants us to answer that it is because of LOVE and NOT MONEY). That our priority is to be a good wife to our husband and not to seek a job outside the country. I guess, nothing to be afraid if you know the man you married/will marry.

- After the session, American spouses/fiancée remained on the same room while spouses/fiancee of other nationalities moved to other room. My husband is an American so I stayed. Another woman, took place the floor. She oriented us about visas, flight, Port of Entry, little insight about American culture, people and place, etc. (30 to 45 minutes)

- We had a lunch break and back to 3rd floor after lunch. At 1:00 pm, they called us individually for a One on One Counselling and Interview. Those who finished filling up the form, called first. And those who didn't finish to fill up the form continued in filling up. There were two counselors,one was a Nun. I was with the Nun. She asked me to say something about my husband, how,when and where we met and what our plans. Also,she asked me about the positive and negative side of my hubby. She was jotting down the information I provided on the blank space on the form I filled up in the morning. I did most of the talking and before we ended she asked me more questions and she put approved on my form and signed it. Again, I gave that form to the guy on Window 3 and he give me my CFO Guidance Counselling Certificate (Blue) afterwards, he advised me to go to the CFO Office to get the CFO Certificate (Green).

- Me, with the other ladies who attended the seminar took a jeepney ride to the CFO Office (P7.50 pesos - fare) located at the address above. When we arrived, we presented our Guidance Counselling Certificate from SMEF-COW, and the woman in charged told us to photocopy it. We submitted the photocopy, paid P400.00 and signed the log book and she handed us the CFO Certificate (Green in Color). Since, I don't have the visa yet, I can claim my CFO sticker in CFO Cebu or Manila when I get my visa. (Keep the Original Copy of your CFO Certificate to get your CFO Sticker in the Future). CFO Certificate has no expiry. They put the CFO Sticker in your passport if your Visa is on hand.

Requirements for Registration (CFO Certificate - Green)

-Original and photocopy of Passport;

-Original and photocopy of visa;

-Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/ Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound/ Certification of Eligibility (for Japan-bound);

-Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;

-Duly completed emigrant registration form;

-P400.00 pesos (Authorized Registration Fee)

Visit the Official CFO Website for updates and more information:www.cfo.gov.ph

269 comments:

what will I do if I lost my CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate?I still have the reciept and have a photocopy,do I apply it again or just ask for a copy of it?and how long will it takes if I request a new one?

I would suggest sis, Contact the CFO office of where you took the seminar and the certificate. They always respond to any question and inquiry or you can call them and ask for their advice of what to do.

I need to renew my passport and at the same time change status,i'm married to a foreign national, they told me to go to cebu to attend CFO Seminar and get Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance. What are the requirements they need? I just want to know because im little bit far from cebu, im from iligan city and im planning to go to cebu this sunday and arrive on monday. I hope you can help me. Thanks and God bless.

Ito yung lahat na kailangan mo.. Better bring them all if in case hingiin nila sa iyo...I am sorry my reply might be late now because it is already Sunday there in the Philippines. But these might help... Send me an email at speedyhub@gmail.com if you have more questions and also so I can guide you.God bless...

- Original and Photocopy of your Passport- Original and Photopy of Birth Certificate (From NSO or CTC from Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO)- Original and Photocopy of Marriage Contract, if you're married (From NSO or CTC from Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO)- Photocopy of Birth Certificate of Husband/Fiancee- Photocopy of Passport of Husband/Fiancee- Photocopy of a Divorce Decree of husband, if he is divorced- Photocopy of Proof of Singleness of Fiancee( If your husband is single and never been married)- Photocopy of Legal Capacity to Marry- Photocopy of visa (IF you already have a visa)- Photocopy of entry/exit stamped of husband/fiancee's passport (If married to a Filipina more than once) - Photocopy or copy of picture together (you and your husband/fiancee)- Photocopy of your two (2) ID's . ( SSS, GSIS, Driver's license, company id, etc)- P250.00 pesos (Counselling Fee)- P400 Pesos (CFO FEE)

Based on my experienced sis when I had my seminar in Cebu they really required this docs doon sa fiancee na single. Because they wanted to make sure na never been married talaga yung mga Fiancee nila....As an option sis, your fiancee can make an Affidavit stating that he is single and never been married then pa notarized nya sa lawyer.... Then, scan nya lang at email sa yo....

Less than a day lang tapos na... with CFO certificate na yan.... Seminar will start at 8:00 but before make sure andun kana para makaregister ka.. After seminar, proceed ka sa CFO.... but try to call CFO Cebu if saan na yung seminar... Kasi, Iv'e read somewhere na same place na sa CFO ang seminar... Call them to make it sure... regarding the place and schedule ng seminar...

hello there! as for the Photocopy of Legal Capacity to Marry, is this needed if we are already married here sa Pinas?he might also bring his papers from Korea that registered din yung kasal naman in his country... and kahit monday ok lang ba? I've read kasi sa schedule nila for Japanese and Korean, every TTh... thank you po!

It doesn't matter yung kulay.. iba-iba kasi kulay minsan upon issuance... as long na latest yung docs mo oks lang... oo 1 day lang xa lahat... not necessarily to make a schedule... But if you want to send them an email or appointment mas okay.... But make sure to be there before 8 or earlier para makakuha ka ng slot for the seminar... God bless...

Hi Im Mary and Married to Foreign National (american) last jan 2012 and now we already have a son.. i went to DFA to renew and change my status since we already married and also getting my son a passport too.. the officer told me to get a cfo first before i claim my passport and also my son`s. My husband is here and planning to go to cebu to deal and get my cfo with our son.. what are the requirements needed? and do they accept 1 ID since i only have postal ID ?? can i photocpy the old passport since my new passport is still on process? can i get police clearance as a backup for ID`s? and are they allowing my husband and son to get in the building because Iam exclusively breastfeeding my son. i need a reply soon pls..:(

Yes, you really need to do the CFO first you can renew your passport and change of status... With regards to your questions:

1 - 1 ID is okay? Answer: In my case they really ask me for two ID's. I only have one ID as well at that time which is valid (SSS)... I was just fortunate to have an expired ID (an ID I had in Hong Kong).... Do you have any school ID? or any work ID's even it is expired... Just bring any expired ID's you got.

2 - Old Passport Photocopy Answer: Yes, Photocopy of old passport is fine.

3 - Police Clearance Answer: If you want too, you can obtain a Police Clearance.. Besides, there is a picture of yourself there. Just in case. I am sure it will be helpful.

4- Do they allow your husband and son? Answer: Yes, in CFO Cebu there is a lobby where your family can wait for you... I am sure they will understand you to bring your son there with you as well as your husband.

Hello, I am Myrna Bage from Negros Occidental and got married to an American citizen just recently. I am processing my Passport now and one of the requirements is the CFO certificate. And they told me to get it from Cebu but they did not give me any paper or referral to bring to the CFO Office. Can I just be accommodated there?

And also I would like to verify if they have a schedule set on April 8, 2013, since that is a Monday and the next day, April 9 is Araw ng Kagitingan, a Holiday.

No need the referral na.. punta ka nalang doon sa CFO cebu.. Be sure to be there before 8:00 am para makapalista ka ng name mo... Check mo ang link na ito for more information... You can email them if open ba sila on April 8.... God bless.... http://cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140

LEgal Capacity to marry is a certificate to prove that he is eligible to marry. He can get it from Swedish consulate there in the Philippines... He don't need a proof of singleness since he is divorced... He needs to bring a copy of his divorced decree...

hi... this is joy... our flight in cebu is in the 21 of this month to get a certificate of attendance in CFO. tanong ko lang po kung san ako dapat una pumunta... sa SMEF-COW? or CFO? and just wanted to ask also if do i need to bring a proof of singleness to my husband??? his single and we already got our marriage certificate... just confused lang po... thank you....

hi.. sorry po i forgot to ask... i only have 1 valid ID(alumni Id)... iv got other Id's (postal & old work ID) but these 2 ID's are under my surname... would they accept this ID po...? looking forward on your reply po... thanks and God Bless...=)

Good afternoon..thank you so much sa mga info. I just want to ask po kung ang gcc at saka cfo makukuha within the day. For me po kasi ang counseling sked is friday 2pm to 5pm so may time pa po ba ako for my cfo cert...or ilang oras ang counseling?salamat po.

Good afternoon..thank you so much sa mga info. I just want to ask po kung ang gcc at saka cfo makukuha within the day. For me po kasi ang counseling sked is friday 2pm to 5pm so may time pa po ba ako for my cfo cert...or ilang oras ang counseling?salamat po.

hello gud day to u....been reading many blogs in diffrent site..but i am still clueless if wat to do first...i am 1yr married and i thought of getting visa...but i dunno wat will do first if do i need to change my pasport status to married or visa first.?and how long will it takes for cfo certificate.?

If you want to use your husband's family name, I would suggest take the CFO seminar (certificate) first and apply for change status of your passport then apply for your visa. CFO (includes seminar) is less than a day....

Yes, first thing is to get a CFO certificate if you want to use your husband's family name then change status sa passport... What you mean takes 2 weeks to get a visa? In which country your husband came from? Most cases it takes 8 - 10 months to get the spousal visa if that kind of visa you want to get...

Sis i will be getting married this July to a Korean national pro hindi sa church thru legal way lang muna sis kase ang priority namin makasal na legal way kase im pregnant ngayun so we both decided to get married before i give birth.And sis where can i my boyfriend get a Legal capacity of marriage? sa Country nya ba o sa Korean Embassy sa pinas?

sis since kukuha ako ng CFO Cert, is it possible they can give me two original CFO cert? kse sis kukuha ako ng CFO for the Spouse visa requirements yun ng embassy so kukunin nla yung original and photocopy ng CFO cert and sis savi mo when i will claim the sticker kailangan nla ng original ng CFO cert. So panu yun sis?

another question po, i'll be leaving Bacolod on June 23rd going to Cebu for the CFO Seminar and one concern ko po is the place where i could stay, i search about the Sampaguita Suites Hotel, they have two hotels the Sampaguita Suites Plaza Garcia and Sampaguita Suites JRG. san po ung mas malapit sa the said Office?

i will wait for your response po.and any advice po what will i'm going to do.i have american husband too. im 22 years old and my hubby is 26 years old. do i need to bring the parent consent? thanks po.

I asked my friends if they were asked for Parent Consent, they said, you don't need it. They only requires it for spouse under 20 years old.. So you're fine. If you want to bring just bring one... No need to be notarized... God bless..

hello aime, if you will get it in Cebu i think okay lng as long as you have the requirements. gaya ng sabi ni ate Oncewantobeawriter just be ready sa parent consent if incase hihingi sila at ung marriage contract mo dapat galing sa NSO and of course your proof (pictures ng wed nyo).

ate Oncewantobeawriter share ko lng po ky Missy ung experienced ko,hello missy, just want to say lang kasi i experienced it already and i took it sa Cebu just this June 2013 ,u should be prepared sa mga possible documents na hihingin nila, aside kasi sa mga requirements u need to compile, at the end of the CFO seminar meron interview in which they might ask for that.. and it depends sa situation u had. so better to have than never in which it will ruin ur processing time... ung ibang kasama ko sa CFO seminar they have everything including na ung receipts kasi that's one of the proof lalo na ung photos. God Bless.

Hi there id like to ask some questions regarding the cr1 visa, specifically on something that i wish to discuss privately. My husband and i would really appreciate ur help..if u can please email me po at tinsolidum@gmail.com hope to hear from u soon :) salamat :)

Hi, thank you for your reply. i was able to attend the seminar last nov.29,and i got my certificate. The seminar was really beneficial, i have learned so much. I came 2 hours before the schedule, luckily i got the no.12 slot. Thank you po ulit.

hai gud morning, i'm nets from davao ,i just have something to ask kasi medyo nababahala poh kasi ako , as of now i have preparing my all documents except the photocopy of passport of my husband he is descendant in japan and i dont have that inisip ko that could be consider?and my flight this monday and the tuesday attending for seminar.another to ask iisa na b yong office ng counselling?i hope that everything must be fine and i hope you response me Oncewantobeawriter, thank you so much...

hi.. i just want to ask. my passport is about to expire and i need to renew it. meron naman ammendment sa passport ko that i married my husband... im confuse if i have to attend cfo.. we are not yet processing visa naman :(

hi. thanks for this info very helpful indeed. got some ideas what to do but im a little bit confused what documents should i prepare.? pls help. i got married last year nov2013 and i was about to apply passport but then i need cfo. by the way im from davao tooand im 22 and husband is 25 filipino but amrcan citzen na sya now. you know what im very glad youve posted your experiences during processing your visa atleast i have ideas what questions will be asked. im looking forward na ma help mo po ako in the future pag ma petition na ako ng hubby ko. thanks much